COVID-19: Oman bans flights from UK, extends night curfew

File Pic

Oman has announced the suspension of all direct passenger flights from the UK starting March 19 as part of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The state media added that passengers who have transitted through the UK in the last two weeks will also be banned from entry.

The move, which will exempt Omani nationals and cargo flights, will come into effect from noon on Friday.

The country’s coronavirus committee has also renewed the order to close all commercial activities in the sultanate from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am until April 3. 

Exemptions will be made for fuel stations, home delivery services, health institutions, pharmacies, and some factories.

A 70 per cent capacity limit will also be introduced in some government offices from March 21 to April 1.

So far, the country has recorded a total of 148,558 infections and 137,544 recoveries. Fatalities stood at 1,617.

More from International

  • Australia passes social media ban for children under 16

    Australia on Thursday passed into law a social media ban for children aged under 16 after an emotive debate that gripped the nation, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech.

  • 17 killed as Israel ups bombing in Gaza

    Israeli military strikes killed at least 17 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, medics said, as forces stepped up bombardments on central areas and pushed tanks deeper in the north and south of the enclave.

  • Israeli tank fires on south Lebanon

    Israeli tank fire hit six areas in southern Lebanon on Thursday and the Israeli military said its ceasefire with Hezbollah was breached after what it called suspects, some in vehicles, arrived at several areas in the southern zone.

  • Landslides in Indonesia's Sumatra kill at least 27

    Indonesian rescuers are searching for passengers trapped in a minibus buried in mud after flash floods and landslides hit several locations in North Sumatra province, killing at least 27, an official said on Thursday.

  • Syrian armed group makes first advance in years

    Syrian armed group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an attack on regime forces in the last opposition enclave in northern Syria on Wednesday, seizing territory in the first such advance in years, army and rebel sources said.

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • The Business Breakfast

    6:00am - 10:00am

    The Business Breakfast is the day’s must listen for the UAE’s business leaders, and those who aspire to be.

  • The Agenda

    10:00am - 1:00pm

    Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAE

    Dubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?

  • Noon's First Female Delivery Driver

    Glory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!